20 Years & Counting: Jonathan Martin’s Harvey Norman Journey

Harvey Norman Ireland turned 15 on October 5th and to celebrate we’ve been throwing a massive Birthday Sale in-store and online! It’s been an incredible journey that has seen us expand to 15 stores throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland. We have a number of staff members who have remained with us through all the ups and downs and we’re eager to hear the many reasons why they’ve stayed with us for so long. Let’s meet one and discover what makes Harvey Norman a great place to work.

Meet Jonathan Martin, Store Manager of Harvey Norman’s Kinsale Road store in Cork. He’s been with us for quite a while, so we’re sure he’s got some great insights into life at Harvey Norman!

HN: What was your first job with Harvey Norman?

Jonathan: My first job in Harvey Norman was in Sydney in 1998. I worked in the back dock in the Moore Park store. Jump forward to 2003 and I was hired by Harvey Norman Ireland just when Airside Retail Park, Swords was just being built. I began as a Floor Manger and when the assistant manager moved to a new position within the company, I was promoted to become the Assistant Store Manager for the Computer Department.

HN: What do you love about Harvey Norman?

Jonathan: The great thing about Harvey Norman is that it gives you opportunities and it’s up to you what you do with it. However, the thing I love the most about our company is seeing people progress, there is no better feeling than seeing people sitting around a table or at an event and they are in very good careers or senior positions and thinking “wow, I remember when they started”. That gives me a real sense of pride.

HN: Can you describe your Harvey Norman journey?

Jonathan: My Harvey Norman journey has been an interesting one. There’s been good times, there’s been great times, but there’s also been some tough times such as the recession. Through it all, we as a company have always stayed very close and remained laser focused on getting a result not just for the company but for our biggest asset, our people. Harvey Norman is always evolving and it will be great to see what the next 15 years brings.

With people like Jonathan striving to take Harvey Norman higher and higher each and every day, there’s no telling where we’ll be in 15 years time. One thing’s for sure however, it’s going to be a fun journey!